Low medical costs, but S’poreans must lead healthy lifestyles too

I agree with Health Minister Gan Kim Yong that “S’poreans, providers have role in keeping health costs down: Gan” (July 10).

While medical costs are being kept affordable, it is important for patients, including families, to help themselves by taking good care of their health.

The other day, I visited a neighbourhood polyclinic for my regular check-up and noticed an elderly man smoking nearby.

Like me, he was visiting the polyclinic due to a history of hypertension and high cholesterol.

Despite his medical condition, he smokes a pack of cigarettes daily and eats whatever he wants, even though the doctor has advised him against it in case his condition worsens.

There are others like him who do not heed the doctor’s advice to lead healthy lifestyles and seem to believe they could always go to the polyclinic when they are ill. After all, healthcare costs are heavily subsidised and affordable.

The Government can only do so much to ensure that medical costs are kept low. But this will come to nought if Singaporeans take things for granted by failing to lead healthy lifestyles.